Mobile OSs Android 4.4 KitKat revealed?

[Ddyracer]

Wish it was 5.0. Ah well, time flies these days it will come soon enough hopefully next year. With card ui.

What i want:

At least give us half the features nova has along with pie controls or auto hide soft buttons. Mainly what I want in terms of features.

And a lot of speed improvements for widgets lock screen, notification drawer, home screen.

Scrolling improvements for chrome and currents and play store and across the system.

Better battery standby and 20 percent more for reg use. Battery percentage please please.

And lastly but very important: you know how you get that scrollable thing in play music? I want that in every app that requires lots of scrolling like chrome, play store and see it more 3rd party. Its genius and solves the infinite scroll to top and bottom issue.

Root will never be stock with a password so forget that.

 

[onthecouchagain]

auto hide soft buttons.

Is auto-hide soft buttons really that desirable? I'm genuinely curious.

Wouldn't it be an added step to going home, or switching apps, or more importantly, the back button? The back button is used so much.

I can't imagine adding an extra step to execute it is something we want ...


As devices become more edge-to-edge, can't we just consider the soft keys as part of the bezel, so to speak? We're okay with capacitive buttons and physical buttons taking space in bezels, why can't we just consider the dedicated soft-key area the same way? Maybe the solution is what LG did with the G2; add a little extra screen space for the soft keys. It's still a nice healthy 5" screen otherwise.

I can get it if it's an option to hide (maybe from the Quick Settings menu? There's plenty of space there to put another toggle), but to auto-hide every time it's not used?

I don't know...

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And lastly but very important: you know how you get that scrollable thing in play music? I want that in every app that requires lots of scrolling like chrome, play store and see it more 3rd party. Its genius and solves the infinite scroll to top and bottom issue.

You mean that side bar that lets you skip to either the top or bottom or specific letters of a track and/or contact list?

That's not a bad idea for Chrome.

 

[Ddyracer]

Is auto-hide soft buttons really that desirable? I'm genuinely curious.

Wouldn't it be an added step to going home, or switching apps, or more importantly, the back button? The back button is used so much.

I can't imagine adding an extra step to execute it is something we want ...


As devices become more edge-to-edge, can't we just consider the soft keys as part of the bezel, so to speak? We're okay with capacitive buttons and physical buttons taking space in bezels, why can't we just consider the dedicated soft-key area the same way? Maybe the solution is what LG did with the G2; add a little extra screen space for the soft keys. It's still a nice healthy 5" screen otherwise.

I can get it if it's an option to hide (maybe from the Quick Settings menu? There's plenty of space there to put another toggle), but to auto-hide every time it's not used?

I don't know...

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You mean that side bar that lets you skip to either the top or bottom or specific letters of a track and/or contact list?

That's not a bad idea for Chrome.

Here's the thing. Once you get used to auto hiding the soft keys you won't miss having it on, especially with pie, try it out. And, of course there should be a setting to have it off all the time. So much screen real estate is recovered and it looks less ugly.

YouTube and some other apps hide the soft buttons, wish all apps would. Often times I hit it accidently when playing a game or just browsing its quite sensitive.

Try cyanogen mod. I think paranoid is better with pie though cause they originated the idea.


Its that orange bar on the right. I think it could be made more inconspicuous so that maybe if you press and hold for two secs in the top right it pops up and then goes away 3 secs after you stop touching it.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Here's the thing. Once you get used to auto hiding the soft keys you won't miss having it on, especially with pie, try it out. And, of course there should be a setting to have it off all the time. So much screen real estate is recovered and it looks less ugly.

YouTube and some other apps hide the soft buttons, wish all apps would. Often times I hit it accidently when playing a game or just browsing its quite sensitive.

Try cyanogen mod. I think paranoid is better with pie though cause they originated the idea.


Its that orange bar on the right. I think it could be made more inconspicuous so that maybe if you press and hold for two secs in the top right it pops up and then goes away 3 secs after you stop touching it.

Ah, so you mean with pie controls. I thought just auto-hide.

I see what you mean.

I think an even more exciting solution is the go full gesture base.

 

[zbarvian]

Ah, so you mean with pie controls. I thought just auto-hide.

I see what you mean.

I think an even more exciting solution is the go full gesture base.

Yes, system gestures are killer. I'm not too fond of iOS 7's bottom edge being used for Control Center, and would've much preferred a Zephyr like feature down there, but the universal slide-to-back engrains itself in you. I never hit back anymore, and I'm doing it in unsupported third party apps out of habit. I like the gesture for Google Now, but there is so much more room for growth that I hope they capitalize on.

 

[onthecouchagain]

BTW, for anyone curious, this is all that was added to Jelly Bean by the 4.3 update. You'll see a "new" next to it.

http://www.android.com/about/jelly-bean/

 

[coldjeanzzz]

To be honest with all the ui change in Google's suite, it would be foolish for them not to go the card base route in 4.4 kitkat.

I honestly think overhauling the entire UI with the card look would change a lot of people's mind about Android. I know a number of people who can't stand Android because it just "looks" complicated and think it's ugly which is why they refuse to switch from iPhones. I feel the same way but I also like many things about Android which is why I use it. But the Google card look is really aesthetic and inviting and give the UI such a nice polished look. I think the font looks really awesome too, the entire OS needs that crisp font.

 

[appledes7]

People shouldn't expect a new design with 4.4. ICS and JB both have the same design language throughout and are 4.X. This is still 4.X and will have the same design. New design won't come until 5.0.

This will just have some minor improvements and maybe a couple new features. Don't expect anything as big as 4.0 to 4.1.

 

[PerfectDB]

People shouldn't expect a new design with 4.4. ICS and JB both have the same design language throughout and are 4.X. This is still 4.X and will have the same design. New design won't come until 5.0.

This will just have some minor improvements and maybe a couple new features. Don't expect anything as big as 4.0 to 4.1.

This. Any visual changes are going to be minor (think the notification shade in ICS to JB), but any improvement is always welcomed.

The under-the-hood changes in 4.4 are going to be interesting, especially given the leap in performance that came with the jump to 4.1. I really hope that Google focuses on optimising battery life - KitKat on a Snapdragon 800 Nexus 5 would finally be able to surpass iOS devices in terms of longevity.

 

[tbayrgs]

This will just have some minor improvements and maybe a couple new features. Don't expect anything as big as 4.0 to 4.1.

Why not? Yes, 4.1 to 4.2 to 4.3 were also only .1 updates but Google still considered them part of Jelly Bean, yet is offering an entirely new name for 4.4. I'd expect this update will be the most significant one since the last name change. I wouldn't expect a design overall either but my guess is this should be the most feature rich update since 4.0 to 4.1.

 

[Technarchy]

I honestly think overhauling the entire UI with the card look would change a lot of people's mind about Android. I know a number of people who can't stand Android because it just "looks" complicated and think it's ugly which is why they refuse to switch from iPhones. I feel the same way but I also like many things about Android which is why I use it. But the Google card look is really aesthetic and inviting and give the UI such a nice polished look. I think the font looks really awesome too, the entire OS needs that crisp font.

Count me as one of those people. Stock android is horrid.

If it looked more like Chrome OS, or Google's design aesthetic featured on Google Now, Maps and Hangouts then it would for sure would be more appealing.

That current "holo" theme is just disgusting.

 

[Ddyracer]

If skinned to white in third party i actually like it but cards ui would look sick. Maybe they should just allow themes with a stock black and white option and more from the play store.


Also, timely is probably the best looking app on android right now. Its my new love. Basically inspired by rise on ios but has its own holo goodness.


The alarm sounds are beautiful. No jarring sounds like the horrible sounds in stock clock.

 

[heutusops]

i hope it's a major update not one of those minor updates which google has been rolling out for quite some time now. hoping for the best

 

[Six8]

If skinned to white in third party i actually like it but cards ui would look sick. Maybe they should just allow themes with a stock black and white option and more from the play store.


Also, timely is probably the best looking app on android right now. Its my new love. Basically inspired by rise on ios but has its own holo goodness.


The alarm sounds are beautiful. No jarring sounds like the horrible sounds in stock clock.

That's racist

 

[Ddyracer]

You must be drunk. Its not.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Count me as one of those people. Stock android is horrid.

If it looked more like Chrome OS, or Google's design aesthetic featured on Google Now, Maps and Hangouts then it would for sure would be more appealing.

That current "holo" theme is just disgusting.

Opinions are opinions, but disgusting? Why is it disgusting?

 

[tbayrgs]

Opinions are opinions, but disgusting? Why is it disgusting?

I'll agree that the current theme for stock Android is less than appealing but 'disgusting' does seem to be a bit exaggerative. If I find something disgusting, it usually turns my stomach--can't believe an OS theme would ever have that effect on me. I guess some others have a weak stomach when it comes to ugly icons and poor color selection.

 

[onthecouchagain]

I'll agree that the current theme for stock Android is less than appealing but 'disgusting' does seem to be a bit exaggerative. If I find something disgusting, it usually turns my stomach--can't believe an OS theme would ever have that effect on me. I guess some others have a weak stomach when it comes to ugly icons and poor color selection.

I think cards will be a nicer look, but I, too, don't find current stock Android "disgusting." It's so subtle and subdued. Dark grays, blacks, with blue highlights. I don't see anything that warrants it being disgusting...

But opinions are opinions.

 

[Six8]

You must be drunk. Its not.

Always

 

[Technarchy]

Opinions are opinions, but disgusting? Why is it disgusting?

The cheesy B-film 80's sci-fi theme is incredibly tacky.

It just stinks of 1980's sunset strip neon dives filled with smelly Nicky 6 groupies and Sam Kinison passed out off speedballs in the corner.

Remember the Terminator club scene?

Or even worse...Vectrex

So yes, I personally find it disgusting and prefer the skinned looks and functionality because they flat out are more pleasing to MY eyes. You are not required to agree but I really hope Google goes with the Google Now, Chrome theme, which is also featured in Hangouts and Maps.

 

[onthecouchagain]

The cheesy B-film 80's sci-fi theme is incredibly tacky.

Image

Image

Image

It just stinks of 1980's sunset strip neon dives filled with smelly Nicky 6 groupies and Sam Kinison passed out off speedballs in the corner.

Remember the Terminator club scene?

Image

Image

Or even worse...Vectrex

Image

So yes, I personally find it disgusting and prefer the skinned looks and functionality because they flat out are more pleasing to MY eyes. You are not required to agree but I really hope Google goes with the Google Now, Chrome theme, which is also featured in Hangouts and Maps.

Fair enough. I think stock Android looks nothing like Tron or any of those examples you gave us. They both happen to have black and blue -- that's about it. Did you hand pick those wallpapers to try to draw similarities? I'm sure you know they're changeable.

The closest thing to stock Android looking Tron-like is the slight glow effect when you reach the end of a list. And even that is subtle. If anything, stock Android looks way more futuristic than retro.

Anyway, I'm not trying to change your mind so there's no need to be defensive. I was asking out of curiosity.

 

[jeffe]

Fair enough. I think stock Android looks nothing like Tron or any of those examples you gave us. They both happen to have black and blue -- that's about it. Did you hand pick those wallpapers to try to draw similarities? I'm sure you know they're changeable.

The closest thing to stock Android looking Tron-like is the slight glow effect when you reach the end of a list. And even that is subtle. If anything, stock Android looks way more futuristic than retro.

Anyway, I'm not trying to change your mind so there's no need to be defensive. I was asking out of curiosity.

FWIW, One set of those pictures is a desktop theme for Linux made to be themed like Android.

 

[JH-]

Personally I love the color scheme. It just goes to show you that everyone likes different things.

 

[SA Spyder]

FWIW, One set of those pictures is a desktop theme for Linux made to be themed like Android.

Shh, let the professional designer speak.

 

[appledes7]

The cheesy B-film 80's sci-fi theme is incredibly tacky.

Image

Image

Image

It just stinks of 1980's sunset strip neon dives filled with smelly Nicky 6 groupies and Sam Kinison passed out off speedballs in the corner.

Remember the Terminator club scene?

Image

Image

Or even worse...Vectrex

Image

So yes, I personally find it disgusting and prefer the skinned looks and functionality because they flat out are more pleasing to MY eyes. You are not required to agree but I really hope Google goes with the Google Now, Chrome theme, which is also featured in Hangouts and Maps.

Haha that's funny. Definitely looking forward to a design change. But it won't be happening anytime this year.